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How to Maintain Skin

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Dr. Shefali Trasi Nerurkar, Consultant Dermatologist, Dr. Trasi's Clinic & La Piel  The skin is one of the largest organs of the body. However it still remains the most abused organ. We were taking it for granted right from the beginning and accepted it to be at its best behaviour. Cosmeceutical companies have worked hard to educate the people about skin care. People are nowadays investing in better skincare products. Emphasis being more on natural products than chemical ones.
There is no fountain of external youthful skin but a few maintainence tips can make the skin look youthful and glowing till later age.

1. Drink lots of water- drinking about 8-10 glasses of water adequately hydrates the skin and body. A hydrated skin looks fresh while a dehydrated skin tends to age out earlier. Apart from water one can also consume fresh salads and fruits to relenish the water reuirement of skin.

2. Maintain a good routine of the skin- Based on ones skin type use a good cleanser, toner and moisturiser. It isnt a very good habit of changing or trying new creams. A water in oil type of cream is good for dry skin while a oil in water type of cream is good for oily skin. Every skin type needs a moisturiser. Ideal time to moisturise any skin is immediately after a bath. This way the natural body oils can be trapped inside the skin. While selecting cleansers use a non-soapy cleanser in dry skin and salicylic acid containing cleanser for oily acne-prone skin. Avoid long hot water baths. Hot water strips the skin out of the natural oils and causes drying of the skin. Also use gentle shower gels to cleanse the body.

3. Sunscreen- Apply sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Sun exposure can cause wrinkles, age spots, seborrheic keratosis and other skin problems;
hence it is always essential to protect your skin from the sun. Make sure the label reads ‘noncomedogenic’ so that the product does not tend to block pores.

4. Eat well- Eat fresh fruits, greens, sufficient protein and vitamins. A diet rich in vitamin C and low in fats and sugar promotes radiant skin. Consider a low-sugar diet, which can keep insulin levels down, allowing cells to maintain a healthy balance.

5. Always remove makeup- skin needs to breathe without any film covering it. So makeup removal forms a very essential part of the routine. Micellar water works as a good makeup remover. But if its not available one can also use olive oil or coconut oil to remove makeup. This routine helps the pores from getting clogged and prevents acne.

Drinking about 8-10 glasses of water adequately hydrates the skin and body. A hydrated skin looks fresh while a dehydrated skin tends to age out earlier.



6. Antioxidants- work as a great source of nutrients to help fight body against any diseases. It also reduces damage and inflammation to skin. Few of the antioxidants are fresh fruits, spinach, nuts, dark chocolate and organic green tea. Few free radicals help in maintaining the skin glowing and wrinkle free.

7. Excercise- It increases the circulation of oxygen and nutrients and releases toxins through sweat, which leads to clearer, firmer skin. Excercise also helps in relieving stress and strain to mind and body.

8. Avoid smoking- tobacco in the cigarettes narrows the blood vessels in the skin and body. This decreases the blood flow and thus depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin-fibers that give our skin strength and elasticity. All of this can lead to lines and wrinkles on the skin at an early stage.

9. Intermittent exfoliation- exfoliation will remove the top dead layer of the skin and give a fresh, new, radiant glowing skin below. Avoid using low pH substances such as lemon or tomato juice on your skin and especially your face, as they can strip away your skin’s natural oils and make you more sensitive to the sun.

There is no perfect way of a good skin. However a few steps can help maintain us till a certain age. Beyond that it is advisable to visit a dermatologist and use good anti-ageing creams or even perform few anti-ageing procedures to age gracefully.